Tory backlash over fears Cameron won't deliver on migrant cuts

DAVID Cameron was under fire last night for ditching plans to impose an annual limit on EU migrants.

Owen Paterson has led a Tory backlash over a perceived 'backdown' to the EU

Former Cabinet minister Owen Paterson, leading an angry backlash from Tory MPs, suggested the Prime Minister backed down after being “sat on by the Germans”.

The former Environment Secretary became the most senior Tory to raise doubts about proposals from Mr Cameron to tackle soaring immigration from EU nations.

Mr Paterson hit out following reports that around 200 Tory MPs now want Britain to quit the EU.

A number want to trigger a rebellion at Westminster this week with a Parliamentary Bill to allow Britain to ignore Brussels and impose tougher border controls. Mr Cameron last week outlined a series of measures to curb access to the welfare system for EU migrants.

They will be banned from claiming a series of benefits for four years after arrival. But the PM shied away from proposing any overall limit on the numbers of migrants.

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Many MPs do not believe the PM will be able to deliver on his firm immigration proposals

I think the Prime Minister really did strike the right balance in his speech but he’s got to deliver it

Owen Paterson

And Mr Paterson said: “I think the Prime Minister really did strike the right balance in his speech but he’s got to deliver it. That is where we possibly part company because he’s looking to negotiate within the existing arrangements and it looks as if we’ve already been sat on by the Germans.”

Mr Cameron is understood to have consulted German chancellor Angela Merkel – an opponent of limits on migration within the EU.

Mr Paterson said mass immigration was “putting a terrible strain on public services”, adding: “I fear we’ll get into a long, rambling negotiation and we won’t deliver.”

Tory MPs plan to table a Bill in Parliament on Wednesday designed to enshrine in law Britain’s right to control its borders and override EU rules. The Bill is unlikely to be given enough time to succeed but may be a rallying call for Tory rebels.

Figures showed last week annual net migration reached 260,000 in the year to last June, higher than under the Labour government.